FAIRFAX, Va. — President George Bush has announced his intention to nominate Chief Gregory B. Cade as administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Chief Cade is a highly accomplished and respected member of the firefighting community and once confirmed he will bring nearly 40 years of emergency management experience to this important post within the department.
Chief Cade currently serves the community of Virginia Beach, Va., where he has been the fire chief and emergency services coordinator for the past eight years. He has managed 19 fire and rescue stations and led several hundred firefighters and emergency response personnel. His department was one of the first fire departments in the nation to be accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. He serves on the National Urban Search and Rescue Team Advisory Board and he is a sponsoring agency chief for Virginia Task Force 2. Cade has managed several presidentially declared disasters and contributed to national awards and recognition for municipal government. Cade has over 40 years experience in the fire service, beginning his career as an entry-level firefighter. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
IAFC President Jim Harmes said, “Chief Cade is an excellent pick to be the U.S. Fire Administrator. He has the experience and leadership skills to carry on with the work started by former IAFC President and current Under Secretary of Emergency Management Dave Paulison. I look forward to working with him to ensure the preparedness of America’s fire service to respond to all hazards.”